Jeanette B Jones

Jeanette B. Jones of Columbus, Georgia departed this life peacefully on January 21, 2021 at the age of 83. She lived a long and beautiful life filled with love and grace. Sadly, her recent health had been in decline with Alzheimer’s, a hip fracture, and ultimately, she passed away from COVID-19.

Jeanette was born in Columbus, Georgia on May 20, 1937 to J. W. Beaird and Nell Moran Beaird, and grew up in Columbus and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Jeanette was an only child and became quite a gifted pianist. She loved music throughout her life, and is now tapping her toes and playing her piano in Heaven. She attended Wynnton Elementary and Columbus High School, where she met the love of her life, Thomas Milton Jones. Milton and Jeanette married after she graduated from high school, and were sweet hearts for over 65 years. Jeanette attended Agnes Scott College and graduated in 1959 before returning to Columbus to teach school, while Milton started his law practice. They soon started their family, and she was a wonderful and doting mother, grandmother “Mimi” and wife. She was her children’s first and best teacher and was devoted to her family. After her children were older, Jeanette returned to her teaching career and obtained her Masters Degree in Education at Columbus College. She was a dedicated and loving elementary school teacher to her students at Morningside, Britt David and Blanchard. When she retired from teaching, she and Milton became world travelers. They traveled to all the continents except Antarctica, where Jeanette had no desire to visit with Milton. They traveled throughout the United States in a motor home with their children and later reveled in planning their grandchildren trips each summer, and showing them our beautiful country. Jeanette was Milton’s “shot-gun” rider, navigator, and named Saint Jeanette by her grandchildren for putting up with Milton and all of his antics. Milton and Jeanette had a blessed life with homes in Meriwether County and the Florida Gulf coast, with many gatherings and memories with friends and family. Jeanette was a member of Wynnton Baptist Church growing up, and then First Baptist Church of Columbus after her marriage. She later was a member of Jones Chapel UCC Church in Imlac, Georgia after they purchased their farm on the Flint River. They regularly worshipped at The First Presbyterian Church in Port St. Joe, Florida when they were at their beach home.

Jeanette is survived by her husband, Milton, and three living children: Janice Wilmot (Chip), Eleanor Williams (Ray), and Michael Jones (Suzanne), and one deceased child, Carolyn Jones. She has four living grandchildren, Andrew Wilmot, Brett Wilmot, Casey Bodiford (Stephen) and Matthew Jones, and one deceased grandchild, Mary Jeanette Williams. She is survived by one great grandson, Wesley Allen Bodiford.

As Jeanette’s health declined, she attended St. Luke’s respite care program and became a resident at Orchard View Rehabilitation Center last year just prior to the pandemic. The family would like to thank the excellent nursing staff at Orchard View and Muscogee Manor for their care over the past year, as well as the sitters from Visiting Angels. In particular, Sonya, Cagney, Melissa and Brittany, who were so much more than sitters to the family when they could no longer visit in person.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following:

Columbus High School Alumni Association, PO Box 2187, Columbus, GA 31902

St. Luke Respite care program, 1104 2nd Ave., Columbus, GA 31901

Agnes Scott College, 141 E. College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030

A memorial service will be held at a future date when friends and family can gather safely.